What's New in Civic Education and Youth Civic Engagement Work .... (July/August 2005 Archive Section)

August 31, 2005

• The Brookings Institution has announced the release of Democracy at Risk: How Political Choices Undermine Citizen Participation, and What We Can Do About It by Stephen Macedo and others. This new book explores the problem of America 's decreasing involvement in its own affairs. The project, initially sponsored by the American Political Science Association, tests the proposition that social science has useful insights on the state of our democratic life. It charts a course for reinvigorating civic participation in the world's oldest democracy. The following leading political scientists contributed to Democracy at Risk:
  
  Stephen Macedo (APSA Committee on Civic Education and Engagement Chair),
  Princeton University
  Yvette M. Alex-Assensoh, Indiana University
  Jeffrey M. Berry, Tufts University
  Michael Brintnall, American Political Science Association
  David E. Campbell, University of Notre Dame 
  Luis Ricardo Fraga, Stanford University
  Archon Fung, Harvard University
  William A. Galston, University of Maryland-College Park
  Christopher F. Karpowitz, Princeton University
  Margaret Levi, University of Washington
  Meira Levinson, Boston Public Schools
  Keena Lipsitz, Queens College, City University of New York
  Richard G. Niemi, University of Rochester
  Robert D. Putnam, Harvard University
  Wendy M. Rahn, University of Minnesota 
  Rob Reich, Stanford University 
  Robert R. Rodgers, Princeton University
  Todd Swanstrom, Saint Louis University
  Katherine Cramer Walsh, University of Wisconsin-Madison

  For more go to: http://www.brookings.edu/press/books/democracyatrisk.htm .

  August 30, 2005

• A recent Public Education Network online newsletter announces the National Schools of Character (NSOC) Awards program. It has a twofold purpose: 1) To identify exemplary schools and districts to serve as models for others; and 2) To help schools and districts improve their efforts in effective character education. Maximum Award: $2000. Eligibility: To be eligible, a school must have been engaged in character education for a minimum of three full years, starting no later than December 2002 for the 2006 awards. Districts need to have been engaged in character education for a minimum of four full years, starting no later than December 2001. Smaller administrative units that maintain a separate identity within a large district may apply in the district category, e.g., a school pyramid or cluster. Deadline: December 05, 2005. For more information go to:
  http://www.character.org/eventsawards/nsoc/files/2006_nsoc_awards.pdf

  August 8, 2005

• The Forum for Youth Investment is accepting applications for two open positions.

  - Program/Communications Specialist
  The Program/Communications Specialist contributes to the full range of the Forum's program and communications work through writing and editing. The position also has responsibility for project management and outreach to individuals and organizations of interest to the Forum. This position will work with the communications team to support the strategic and tactical plans for reaching and influencing the organization's target audiences. This position will help ensure the consistency of the organization's key messages internally and in outbound communications.
  
  - Meeting Center/Office Manager
  Provide meeting and office support to employees and outside partners housed in an 1887 historic home with quality customer service, attention to detail and independent judgment.

  For more information go to: http://www.forumfyi.org

  August 5, 2005

• CIRCLE's July 2005 e-update is now available. Included in this update are the following:

  - The Civic Effects of Small School Reform: A Discussion
  - Gender Gap Widened in 2004 for Young Voters
  - The Campaign for the Civic Mission of Schools Seeks Civic Learning Practice Examples
  - 2005 Annual Conference of the National Conference on Citizenship
  - New On-Line Journal of Youth Development

  August 4, 2005

• The CivicMind announces – The Common Good Experience: How making a difference makes a difference in you. Learn to get involved in your community and give back. Identify activities that are civic-minded. Develop awareness, knowledge and clear skills for community service, advocacy, and personal reflection. Explore your attitudes toward "getting involved" and set goals that make a difference in you as well as your community. For more go to: http://www.civicmind.com/qsylbio.htm
  
• Community Service and Sustainability Initiatives at Green Mountain College in Poultney, Vermont announces a position for coordinator. The individual reports to the Dean of Students and works closely with the Director of Service learning, the Community Service and Sustainability Initiatives Coordinator (CSSIC) will be responsible for coordinating a range of faculty, student, and staff initiatives in the areas of community service and campus greening.  Specifically, the CSSIC will work towards the development and implementation of service learning projects, environmental programs, and campus outreach efforts.  The CSSIC will manage one or more student work-study position(s), oversee the community service and campus greening budgets, prepare and administer grants in these areas, assure coordination across campus for efficient implementation of projects, and serve as a liaison to the communications office informing the campus and broader community of significant achievements in community outreach and campus greening.  The CSSIC will also be responsible for collecting and documenting achievements across the campus related to greening and community service and for periodically offering workshops to students on greening and community service topics. A Bachelors Degree is required, preferably in an environment-related field.  In addition, they seek a candidate with the ability to work within a small college environment, who has excellent communication and writing skills, has the ability to manage and maintain budgets, and who is well organized, innovative, and self-motivated.
  
  Submit letter of interest, résumé and names, addresses, and telephone numbers of three professional references to: Anne Lundquist, Dean of Students, Student Life Office, Green Mountain College, One College Street, Poultney, VT 05764.  Electronic applications can be sent to service/greening@greenmtn.edu .  Review of applications will continue until the position is filled.  A starting date of September 15, 2005, is anticipated.
  

  August 3, 2005

• The Public Education Network online newsletter reminds you of the following:

  - "Do Something BRICK Awards"
  The Do Something BRICK Awards honors 6 outstanding youth leaders who develop projects to improve their community.  Maximum Award: $5,000 scholarship and a $5,000 grant. Eligibility: Students age 18 and under. Deadline: November 1, 2005
  http://www.dosomething.org/awards/brick/index.php
  
  - "Mini-Grant Program for Service-Learning"
  Constitutional Rights Foundation's Robinson Mini-Grant Program for service-learning projects designed to address serious community issues. Maximum Award: $500. Eligibility: K-12. Deadline: October 14, 2005. http://www.crf-usa.org/network/crf_robin.html

  August 2, 2005

• The Social Science Research Council announces its inaugural installment of "Youth Activism: A Web Forum." As part of the broader effort to promote new work on Youth Activism and Citizenship, the Web Forum seeks to foster discussion, debate and analysis on young people as civic and political actors. The Forum is intended to be a virtual space for developing and disseminating new information, ideas and approaches to youth activism-especially those in which young people are involved in forms of advocacy through purposeful and organized collective action. Research and public attention to young people's participation on political and social issues is often critical or negative in representation.

  The Youth Activism Web Forum will focus on one topic at a time, with new topics tackled regularly. Essays on past themes will be archived and available on-line. Visit the Forum at http://www.ya.ssrc.org .

  August 1, 2005

• The Forum for Youth Investment is pleased to announce the release of YOUTH COUNT: Exploring How KIDS COUNT Grantees Address Youth Issues (available free of charge at http://www.forumfyi.org). Inspired by the 2004 KIDS COUNT Databook essay, “Moving Youth From Risk to Opportunity,” this new report highlights the history of data collection, challenges and innovative strategies of twelve Annie E. Casey Foundation KIDS COUNT grantees in their work to serve the needs of older youth. Join them live on August 2, 2005 for the YOUTH COUNT Audio Conference as they discuss their findings and hear from advocates about their experiences in the field. Go to: YOUTH COUNT Audio Conference, August 2, 2005; 12:00–1:00 P.M. EST; Toll free dial in number: 1.888.422.7105; Participant Code: 743643.

  July 28, 2005

• Reflections ( http://www.reflectionsjournal.org/ ) invites submissions for a Spring 2006 Special Issue "Re-writing the Community Writing Course" well conceived, systematically assessed long term projects are the means to teaching, learning, and community-based ends (guest edited by H. Brooke Hessler and Amy Rupiper Taggart). They are particularly interested in projects that have already achieved some longevity because of their careful reflection on and assessment of the courses and projects.

  Submissions should include:
  - Focus on course and project revision for sustainability and best practices (up to 5,000 words)
  - The theoretical underpinnings of the course, project, and/or revisions
  - An overview of the community partnership itself and the institutional
  context of the course
  - Selections of relevant course materials from the original and revised
  courses (course descriptions, objectives, assignments, assessment tools)
  - Discussion of persisting challenges
  - Review essays on significant books and articles, particularly those that address issues of assessment and sustainability are alsowelcome
  - Manuscripts should follow MLA guidelines and should include a 75-100 word abstract

  Send inquiries to Amy Rupiper Taggart amy.rupipertaggart@ndsu.nodak.edu or Brooke Hessler bhessler@okcu.edu . Send electronic submissions, in MS-Word or RTF to Brooke Hessler bhessler@okcu.edu by August 1, 2005.

  July 27, 2005

• Applications are now being accepted through August 3 for an AmeriCorps*VISTA member to serve at the University of New England in Biddeford , Maine .  The VISTA¹s primary role would be to coordinate the Communities for Children and Youth sponsored College Community Mentoring Program (visit www.une.edu/ccmp for more details).
   
  The VISTA will recruit, train and coordinate collegiate mentors and the college, school, community mentoring program as a whole. The position requires working closely with local schools, after-school programs, the higher education community, and a variety of mentoring programs. The VISTA will gain valuable experience in volunteer management, positive youth development, and community building.
  
  This VISTA placement is a part of the Maine Communities for Children and Youth (C4CY) statewide initiative. C4CY brings together the resources of state government with the leadership, organization, and passion of local communities to solve problems facing Maine 's youth and families. While the 36 VISTA members serve individually, the project has a team-based approach and members support each other both professionally and personally throughout the year. In addition, this project makes a significant investment in the professional development of the VISTA members. Trainings, held every six weeks, address a range of topics including, grant writing, conflict resolution, career development, volunteer management, and positive youth development. Service year begins August 20, 2005 and ends on August 19, 2006.
  
  For more information about this position please contact: Samuel McReynolds, Chair, Department of Sociology (207) 602-2327 SMcReynolds@une.edu or contact Sarah Brady, VISTA Leader (866) 385-8124 C4CY.VISTA@maine.gov

  July 26, 2005

• The Public Education Network has posted the following in its online newsletter:

  - Recognizing Hispanic Youth: Making a Difference in their Communities. The Líderes de Hoy essay contest is an Allstate and National Council of La Raza (NCLR) initiative to recognize and celebrate the work of Hispanic youth leaders making a difference in the Latino community. Applicants must answer the question:  "As a young leader, how have you been a catalyst for positive change and contributed to inspiring your community?" Ten young Hispanic leaders will be awarded a $5,000 academic scholarship and invited to participate in the Líderes de Hoy awards ceremony in Washington, DC in commemoration of Hispanic Heritage Month in September. Applicants must be legal residents of the United States, full-time high school students of Hispanic descent, between the ages of 14 and 18, and have a minimum GPA of 2.0. Deadline: July 29, 2005. For more information go to: http://lideres.nclr.org/opportunities/national_essay_contest_/.

  July 25, 2005

• From Campus Compact: AmeriCorps*VISTA Member needed to direct a statewide school-based grant program focusing on disaster preparedness and the awareness of building codes. Desired experience includes a B.A. + 1 year leadership experience in program management, budget management, excellent written and oral communication skills, knowledge of Microsoft Office programs, and strong organization skills. Also desired is the ability to work with teachers & students. Service learning experience a plus. Living Stipend $785/month plus benefits & $4,725 education voucher for a 1-year term. Start date: September 1, 2005. Send cover letter and resume to: dburr@admin.fsu.edu.

  July 22, 2005

• City Year Alumni Survey

  - In the Fall of 2004, with the support of The Atlantic Philanthropies , City Year launched an important study to assess and analyze the impact the organization has had on corps members in the fifteen years since its founding. For more go to: http://www.cityyear.org/pressroom/NatEnews.cfm?Date=06-05&v=2&i=5&Article=s2.

• The Texas A&M University Department of Student Activities is seeking qualified applicants for Student Activities Advisor, Coordinator Campus and Community Engagement.
  
  Responsibilities include: Assist with the leadership, development, implementation, and assessment of a Center for Campus and Community Engagement. Coordinate, facilitate, and execute programs and initiatives as identified by department and center priorities. Serve as a liaison to non-profit and community service agencies, provide outreach and services to faculty members interested in implementing service-learning initiatives, connect students with campus and community engagement opportunities, facilitate student involvement & volunteer/community service leadership seminars and workshops, and maintain and enhance website and other electronic resources. In addition, the position will supervise graduate staff and serve as the Primary Advisor to The Big Event. This position may advise other student organizations and produce departmental publications. This position is supported by one clerical position.
  
  Starting date negotiable, resumes are currently under review. Qualified candidates should submit cover letter and resume with three references to: Search Committee, c/o Sharra Durham, Program Coordinator, Department of Student Activities, Mail Stop 1236 TAMU, College Station , TX 77843-1236 . AA/EOE. Additional position information available at: http://studentactivities.tamu.edu/jobs/.

  July 21, 2005

• The National Association of Extension 4-H Agents (NAE4-HA) is pleased to announce the creation of an exciting new multidisciplinary applied research and practice on-line journal, Journal of Youth Development~ Bridging Research and Practice .  This journal will be focused on the development of school-aged youth through the transition to adulthood (ages 6-22).  The inaugural issue will be published in early November, 2005.  With funding support from the National 4-H Leadership Trust, this refereed journal will feature original research, best practices in youth development programming, innovative research and evaluation methods and strategies, and reviews of resources of interest to youth development researchers and practitioners.
  
  The Journal of Youth Development~ Bridging Research and Practice is currently accepting submissions of papers for publication consideration in any of the following categories:
  
  - Feature Articles—2,000-3,000 word original research articles.
  - Program Articles—1,500 word articles that highlight unique, successful, or promising youth development programs or initiatives.
  - Research and Evaluation Strategy Articles—1,000 word articles that describe innovative methodologies and strategies in the collection and analysis of quantitative or qualitative research and evaluation data.
  - Resource Reviews—300 word critical reviews of resources and tools that would be helpful to youth development professionals.

  Visit the following link to download the submission guidelines: http://www.nae4ha.org/profdev/joyd/index.html . Please contact the editor, Patricia Dawson, with questions at Patricia.dawson@oregonstate.edu . Submissions are due August 19, 2005 for publication consideration in the first issue.

July 20, 2005

• The CivicMind Award for July has been awarded to the Steans Center for Community-based Service Learning, DePaul University, Chicago. The Steans Center integrates service into the University's curricula and engages students, faculty, and community organizations in mutually beneficial, reciprocal relationships to benefit the Chicago community. For more go to: http://www.civicmind.com/wsteans.htm. New conferences and events have been added to the calendar this fall at: http://www.civicmind.com/dates.htm .

July 19, 2005

• The Public Education Network has posted the following in its online newsletter:

  "Do Something BRICK Awards". The Do Something BRICK Awards honors 6 outstanding youth leaders who develop projects to improve their community.  Maximum Award: $5,000 scholarship and a $5,000 grant. Eligibility: Students age 18 and under. Deadline: November 1, 2005. For more information go to: http://www.dosomething.org/awards/brick/index.php .

July 18, 2005

• Michigan State University has created an e-learning environment that uses video to support the learning and teaching of U.S. History. EASE History features over 600 videos and photographs from 1900 to 2005. Users can enter EASE History through three entry points: Historical Events, Campaign Ads, and Core Values. Through the prism of U.S. presidential campaign ads, users can better understand the complexities of campaign issues and their historical context by looking at historical events, and explore the meanings of core values by examining how these values have been applied in both historical events and campaign ads. Three learning modes, single and multiple theme searches, and resources support the comparing and contrasting of historical cases. The site's content is freely available to the public. It is being used in elementary, middle and high schools, and universities all around the world. EASE History can be viewed at http://www.easehistory.org/ .

July 15, 2005

• The Campaign for the Civic Mission of Schools is seeking new civic learning practices to add to the examples already on their website. They ask for your participation:

  Are you educating students for democracy? Looking for high quality civic learning practices?

  The Campaign for the Civic Mission of Schools is a long-term effort to renew and elevate civic learning in our nation's schools. Working with 40 coalition partners and 18 state campaign teams, we aim to effect changes in state, local, and national policy that increase the quantity and quality of civic learning in American classrooms.

  As part of this effort, the Campaign actively seeks civic learning practice examples for our online inventory, an educational resource for educators, policymakers, and advocates to discover civic learning practices by grade level and teaching approach. Reviewed by an advisory group of experts, the examples align with the Civic Mission of Schools report's six-promising approaches to civic learning.

  Currently more than fifty practice examples available online. But we want more – and we need your help! The Campaign seeks all kinds of examples: established and pilot, local, regional, or national in scope. Teachers, school administrators, program officers, community members, and others engaged in educating K-12 students for democracy are encouraged to submit lessons, extracurricular opportunities, curricula, supplemental programs, and other resources.

  We hope to have many new civic learning practices included in our online inventory in time for the upcoming school year, so please act today. Visit www.civicmissionofschools.org to find and submit new practice examples. Questions? Email submissions@civicmissionofschool.org or call Adam at 212.367.4570. We hope to hear from you!

July 14, 2005

• The 13th International Democratic Education Conference will take place in Germany in Berlin from 30 July to 7 August, 2005. For more information go to: http://idec2005.org/ . You can also, review the program for the Public Education Conference at Humboldt-University or register for the conference.

July 13, 2005

• The National Service-Learning Partnership announces the following proposed cuts in Learn and Serve America:

  - On June 24, U.S. House of Representatives voted to cut Learn and Serve America's budget by 13%, taking it from $43 million to $37.5 million for the 2005-06 academic year.

  - The House Appropriations Committee initially voted to approve $40 million for Learn and Serve America and $416 million for AmeriCorps. After final passage of the Labor-HHS-Education spending bill, an "en bloc" set of amendments were adopted that included a $5 million cut in national service funding. This deal was negotiated to avoid even deeper cuts to national service funding. The amendment cut $2.5 million from Learn and Serve America, resulting in a total of $37.5 million and cut $2.5 million from AmeriCorps Grants, resulting in a total of $267.5 million. Total funding for the Corporation and its programs in the House-passed bill is $909 million, $12 million below the President's request.

  - As many as 140,000 young people stand to lose their chance to participate in service-learning activities supported by Learn and Serve America. The House decision will substantially reduce the number of college, universities, schools and community-based organizations that will be supported by Learn and Serve next year. This cut means that local communities could possibly lose an estimated $22 million worth of services.

  - There is one last chance to influence this year's funding decision focusing on the Senate. The Senate Appropriations subcommittee is scheduled to start deliberations on this bill on tomorrow, July 12th at 2PM eastern with the full committee holding its hearing on July 14th. It is important that your Senators hear from you immediately.

  For more go to: www.servicelearningunited.org or www.service-learningpartnership.org for continuing updates and advocacy resources.

July 12, 2005

• The Public Education Network has posted the following in its most recent online newsletter:

  - Recognizing Hispanic Youth: Making a Difference in their Communities. The Líderes de Hoy essay contest is an Allstate and National Council of La Raza (NCLR) initiative to recognize and celebrate the work of Hispanic youth leaders making a difference in the Latino community. Applicants must answer the question:  "As a young leader, how have you been a catalyst for positive change and contributed to inspiring your community?" Ten young Hispanic leaders will be awarded a $5,000 academic scholarship and invited to participate in the Líderes de Hoy awards ceremony in Washington, DC in commemoration of Hispanic Heritage Month in September. Applicants must be legal residents of the United States, full-time high school students of Hispanic descent, between the ages of 14 and 18, and have a minimum GPA of 2.0. Deadline: July 29, 2005. For more information go to: http://lideres.nclr.org/opportunities/national_essay_contest_/

July 11, 2005

• California Campus Compact (CACC) seeks a Senior Program Coordinator to coordinate CACC programs and services for over 55 college campuses across California and to foster the emerging role of CACC as a statewide leader in higher education service learning and civic engagement. The Senior Program Coordinator will work closely with the Executive Director, as a member of a dynamic team in a growing organization and will possess a balance of visionary and creative capacity with strong organization and program planning skills.
  
  The senior program coordinator for CACC provides statewide management and leadership of grant funded service programs totaling over $450K annually. Additionally the coordinator seeks opportunities to expand current grant programs and develop new grant programs that assist 50+ campuses in their efforts to institutionalize community service learning and civic engagement. The coordinator leads the planning and implementation of statewide workshops, conference, meetings; informs policy development; and leads public relations activities.

  Applications will be accepted until mid- or late-July. Check SFSU website for final closing date.

  For application materials and other information (e.g., benefits, SFSU policies) go to the Human Resources Department at San Francisco State University at www.sfsu.edu

July 8, 2005

• The Midwest Consortium for Service-Learning in Higher Education (MCSLHE) invites you to its 2nd annual conference to be held at the University of South Dakota in Vermillion on September 22-24, 2005. The consortium promotes, mobilizes, and supports the efforts of Nebraska and South Dakota higher education institutions that are united in strengthening their academic and co-curricular programs through service-learning in their institutions, communities, state and nation. The primary aims are: (1) to increase the level of commitment, partnerships, support, and communication from member institutions; (2) to expand and diversify the base of faculty involved in service-learning, providing students with quality service-learning, emphasizing civic engagement; (3) to expand and improve relationships with community partners; and (4) to contribute to the field of service-learning through research and evaluations. The Consortium is supported by a Learn & Serve grant. Registration information at http://www.usd.edu/midwestconsortium . For more information, email midwest@usd.edu or call (605) 677-6338.

July 7, 2005

• Unite For Sight has many new service-learning opportunities in Africa, Asia, Latin America, and Eastern Europe for the Fall, Winter, and Spring. Some opportunities are still available for the Summer, too Opportunities are available in rural villages, urban locations, and refugee camps (including in the tsunami region). You can read about all of the opportunities at: http://www.uniteforsight.org/intl_volunteer/
  

July 5, 2005

• The Public Education Network has posted the following in its most recent online newsletter:

  - Mini-Grant Program for Service-Learning. Constitutional Rights Foundation's Robinson Mini-Grant Program for service-learning projects designed to address serious community issues. Maximum Award: $500. Eligibility: K-12. Deadline: October 14, 2005. For more information go to: http://www.crf-usa.org/network/crf_robin.html

July 1, 2005

• The following has been added to Pew Charitable Trust's “Supporting Civic Life” website:

  06/22/2005 - Philadelphia Theatre Initiative Awards $547,500 To 8 Theatres & 2 Independent Theatre Artists: Outstanding theatre artists and Philadelphia-area theatres receive grants.

•